In 1890, in a small town in the French Alps, blacksmith Joseph Opinel crafted a simple, wooden folding knife. Over 125 years later and the tool is still being produced in the Savoie region by members of the Opinel family. The collection has improved with features like the Virobloc locking system and advances in materials, and has grown to include chef's knives, kitchen tools, camping implements, and other items of leisure. In spite of the changes, the spirit of the original design still lives on through the company's dedication to quality and simplicity — traits that have made the brand a cultural icon not just in France, but throughout the world.